The Disciplinary Committee, which was created to oversee security, supervision and education of our students, didn’t succeed in its mission. The committee failed to eliminate rustic traditions that have been implanted in young people’s minds that cause brutal attitudes and manners. I’m not trying to say this assumingly or trying to accuse the committee with failure to do what ought to be done. I’m simply lamenting the level of behavior that our students have reached.
We are struck every day by news of violence among students who are supposed to be engaged in learning, acquiring knowledge, competing, solving mathematical problems and diving into the ocean of science. In fact, they are more occupied with swords than pens. Instead of drawing circles with compasses or using pencils to work out equations, students are using other sharp objects to injure others.
I wasn’t surprised to read the news on Feb. 1 in Al-Riyadh daily about a large group of students clashing with sticks and stones in Taif. I predicted such a thing would happen a long time ago. My prediction wasn’t based on looking at stars in the sky, but rather by observing the society here on the ground.
I wrote an article three years ago in this column about students racing out to buy tire wrenches. Then they cruised neighborhoods bragging about their tools, which they use not to fix flats but to break skulls. These students have learned to communicate with tire wrenches instead of words.
I really hope that teachers and educators in Saudi schools put more efforts into emphasizing the mightiness of the pen over the sword. They must instill the concept of communication and dialogue rather than violence among students at times of disagreement. What are we going to do to stop violence among students? Will the Ministry of Education take heed of this disturbing trend?
